Placer County - Auburn, CA3.8

Placer County Health and Human Services is currently recruiting for permanent and extra-help/temporary positions in the classification Client Services Practitioner I (Master Degree Social Worker/Clinician) for case management assignments in the Adult System of Care, Children's System of Care and Public Health divisions.

This is an entry level position and applicants are encouraged to include relevant education and a description of professional social work and/or child welfare experience when responding to the supplemental questionnaire.

Your application materials and assignment preference(s) may be used by the hiring authority when selecting candidates to interview. Client Services Practitioners perform a broad spectrum of duties ranging from providing direct services/case management support to those faced with difficult situations, emotional stresses, or significant changes in their lives to clinically diagnosing emotional, behavioral or mental health disorders in individuals. Not only do Client Services Practitioners assist individuals to cope with the situation at hand, they advocate for them and seek out valuable resources and other means of support for the affected person(s).

DEFINITION
To provide responsible and professional social services and/or clinical treatment of an advanced nature to a variety of clients with identified needs including clients with mental health concerns, diagnosed mentally ill clients, substance abusers and/or clients who are homeless; to provide counseling to individuals and groups; to perform crisis intervention as appropriate; to participate in the development and implementation of various treatment and outreach services; to investigate, supervise and to place minors in need of protective services; to provide outreach engagement; to develop, coordinate and monitor community-based programs; and to function as an integral and supportive member of assigned departmental and multi-disciplinary team(s).

DISTINGUISHING CHARACTERISTICS
This is the entry level class in the Client Services Practitioner series. This class is distinguished from the journey level by the performance of the more routine tasks and duties assigned to positions within this series. Employees at this level are not expected to perform with the same independence of direction and judgment on matters allocated to the journey level class. Since this class is typically used as a training class, employees may have only limited or no directly related work experience. Employees work under general supervision while learning job tasks.
SUPERVISION RECEIVED AND EXERCISED
Receives general supervision from a program supervisor or other designated management position.

May receive technical and functional supervision from a Senior Client Services Practitioner.

EXAMPLES OF ESSENTIAL DUTIES

Duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
Develop and administer long or short term treatment plans requiring comprehensive professional knowledge with the goal of improving or restoring individual or family functioning; may include clinical treatments and may determine appropriate method of treatment intervention including program modification.
Participate in and/or conduct comprehensive individual and family psychosocial assessments for problem identification and diagnosis; determine acuity of need and recommend appropriate program placement; provide crisis counseling to include authorization for 72-hour emergency in-patient admission as necessary.
Prepare and present clinical and/or case management documentation for review by multi-disciplinary team; provide on-going consultation and systematic support for the team in its implementation of treatment programs and individual treatment plans and/or case management.
Investigate, intervene and provide a variety of professional services to children or other special needs clients, in circumstances in which the client's physical or emotional welfare is involved including cases of neglect, emotional/behavioral problems, physical/mental disabilities, child welfare, court services, or other conditions that may adversely affect the client.
Participate in and/or conduct group, family and individual therapy to include marital and/or family counseling as appropriate to effect positive rehabilitation, solutions, and/or life improvements.
Provide highly skilled professional services in counseling, adult and child protective services, family services, community organization, social research and related areas.
Perform case management duties including treatment plan monitoring, advocacy, referral and linkage to other needed services and crisis interventions; establish and maintain casework records and documents in accordance with departmental and statutory regulations and procedures; and prepare relevant correspondence and reports, including court reports and/or testimony.
Provide outreach, education, and professional consultation to the community, the general public, as well as public and private agencies; conduct training workshops and/or presentations to clients, care providers, community groups, referrals, and the general public.
Provide operational oversight of residential facilities or community-based programs to include the administration of budgets as assigned; prepare grant proposals and reports and monitor program activities and expenditures.
Conduct home visits; transport clients; and assist with client's financial, budget and daily living activities as appropriate.
Develop, maintain and participate in an inter-agency and community networking/referral system; evaluate client needs relative to appropriate program referrals; maintain close communication with contract providers and community service agencies to ensure treatment plan and client needs are being met in a successful manner.
Build and maintain positive working relationships with co-workers, other County employees, community resources, clients, and the general public utilizing principles of effective customer service.
Perform related duties as assigned.
MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS
It is the responsibility of applicants to identify in their application materials how they meet the minimum qualifications listed below.

Experience: One year of providing mental health services, social service casework or counseling is desirable.

Training: A Master's degree from an accredited college or university with major course work in social work, psychology or counseling, which meets the eligibility requirements for licensure as a Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW), Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist (LMFT) or Licensed Professional Clinical Counselor (LPCC) by the State Board of Behavioral Science Examiners must be obtained by date of appointment.

License or Certificate: May need to possess a valid driver's license as required by the position. Proof of adequate vehicle insurance and medical clearance may also be required.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

Knowledge of:
Principles and practices of social work as related to providing mental health, substance abuse services and treatment, child and adult protective services and the multi-disciplinary approach to treatment.
Principles and practices used in the development of community-based programs providing treatment and social services.
Accepted criteria for clinical diagnosis of emotional and mental disturbances as well as normal and abnormal emotional and mental development to include growth, development and living relationships.
Develop and implement community-based programs in treatment and social service; coordinate and monitor program activities to ensure compliance with program outcomes.
Principles and practices of casework, including objectives, clinical diagnosis and appropriate documentation.
Psychosocial, family, individual and group therapy and counseling treatments and prevention strategies.
Physical, social, mental and substance use disorders impact on individual personality and behaviors.
Role of social service agencies, both public and private.
Legal and regulatory issues related to the operation and delivery of a variety of client services to individuals and groups of all ages and special needs.
Crisis intervention and conflict resolution practices, including management of assaultive behavior, and principles of social work related to child protective services and adult services, risk and safety assessments.
Standard and accepted investigative and interviewing techniques and methods.
Principles used in preparing grant proposals.
Modern office procedures, practices and methods as well as designated computer hardware and software and its applications.
Standard and accepted English usage, spelling, punctuation, and grammar in both oral and written forms.

Ability to:
Understand and carry out a variety of complex oral and written instructions in an independent manner.
On a continuous basis, know and understand all aspects of the job and observe safety rules and practices; intermittently review work papers, reports and special projects; identify and problem solve client issues; identify and interpret technical and numerical information; observe and problem solve operational and technical policies and procedures; explain applicable department policies and procedures to applicants and clients.
On a continuous basis, sit for long periods of time or while driving; intermittently walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel while retrieving or returning files, documents and supplies and making copies; walk, stand, bend, squat, kneel, climb or twist while conducting home/site visits or transporting client; twist to reach equipment surrounding desk; perform simple grasping and fine manipulation; use telephone and write or use a keyboard to communicate through written means; see and hear with sufficient acuity to observe and assess physical condition and living environment of client; and lift moderate weight.
Identify and conceptualize multiple cause situations and possible consequences; evaluate potential treatment/solutions; determine and initiate most effective course of action.
Relate effectively and positively with assigned clients to establish trust and rapport; display empathy.
Coordinate and prioritize work and timelines effectively for self and others.
Work with various cultural and ethnic groups in a tactful and effective manner.
Obtain relevant information through interviews, observations, and the application of standard research methodologies.
Perform mathematical calculations accurately to include routine statistical analysis.
Use a personal computer and office equipment necessary for successful job performance.
Work weekend and evening shifts as needs of program and/or clients require.
Establish and maintain effective working relationships with those contacted in the performance of required duties.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Training & Experience Rating (100%)

Based upon responses to the supplemental questionnaire, the applicant’s education, training and experience will be evaluated using a pre-determined formula. Scores from this evaluation will determine applicant ranking and placement on the eligible list.

CONDITION OF EMPLOYMENT
Prior to the date of hire, applicants must undergo a fingerprint test by the Department of Justice, pass a medical examination (which may include a drug screening and possibly a psychological evaluation), sign a constitutional oath and submit proof of U.S. citizenship or legal right to remain and work in the U.S. For some positions, applicants may also be required to submit proof of age, undergo a background investigation (which may include a voice stress analysis and/or a polygraph) and/or be bonded. Additionally, positions in law enforcement classifications, and those supporting law enforcement functions will be required to complete a conviction history questionnaire prior to or during the interview process. Applicants for positions with access to Medi-Cal billing software or who are licensed providers must clear the Federal Exclusion List, credentialing, and social security verification. Failure to clear these requirements may result in an employment offer being withdrawn.

SUBSTITUTE LISTS
The eligible list(s) resulting from this recruitment may be certified as a substitute list for a substantially similar classification. For this purpose, a substantially similar classification is one at a lower level in the same classification (example: entry level vs. journey) and/or a similar classification (similar work performed, similar training and experience qualifications required). If you are contacted for an interview by a County department, you will be informed of the classification and other relevant information. If you choose not to interview for a substantially similar classification, you will remain on the eligible list for which you originally applied.

EMPLOYEES OF OTHER PUBLIC AGENCIES
Placer County offers an expedited process for qualifying certain applicants for interviews. Candidates currently employed, or employed within the last year, by a public agency operating under a personnel civil service or merit system may be eligible to be placed on a Public Agency Eligible List and certified as eligible for appointment to a similar job assignment without going through the examination process. For more information on the Public Agency Eligible List, to download forms, or to apply, please visit our website at:

http://www.jobaps.com/placer/sup/abfreenames.asp

EQUAL OPPORTUNITY EMPLOYER
Thank you for your interest in employment with Placer County. Placer County is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to an active nondiscrimination program. It is the stated policy of Placer County that harassment, discrimination and retaliation are prohibited and that all employees, applicants, agents, contractors, and interns/volunteers shall receive equal consideration and treatment. All terms and conditions of employment, including but not limited to recruitment, hiring, transfer and promotion will be based on the qualifications of the individual for the positions being filled regardless of gender (including gender identity and expression), sexual orientation, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, physical disability (Including HIV and AIDS), mental disability, medical condition (cancer or genetic characteristics/information), age (40 or over), marital status, military and/or veteran status, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth and related medical conditions), or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law. Please contact the Human Resources Department at least 5 working days before a scheduled examination if you require accommodation in the examination process. Medical disability verification may be required prior to accommodation.

BENEFITS
The following information represents benefits currently available to permanent Placer County employees and may be subject to change. It is advisable that applicants inquire as to the most current benefit package during hiring interviews or by contacting the Human Resources Department.